Disclaimer, I do not own RWBY
AN: I'm back, suffering through this plague as an essential worker, despising everyone that isn't within the group of people I already know that I come across. I want to apologize for the massive delay between chapters. I'm not sick, or dead, or anything like that. But for a short while, my private time I used to write was taken from me, not to mention work has absolutely sucked these last 4 months. I work as a cashier for a semi-national hardware store, and for these months since lockdowns started, it has been Black Friday every single day, and I'm not exaggerating, we have been beating Black Friday sales numbers consistently. I've been too exhausted to write anything before or after work, not to mention trying to maintain what little of a social life I have. I'm not giving up, or quitting, things have finally started to calm down thankfully. I should be able to get back into the swing of things relatively quickly. Anyways, enough of that, on to the chapter!
As the pair of leaders waited for Winter to arrive, Arslan began to grill Ruby for information.
"So, mind explaining just what I've walked into? Because I'm not gonna lie, your uncle alone terrifies me." Arslan asked.
"I'm important to a lot of people for very different reasons. I don't like it, but I see where they're coming from. I promise dad won't do anything too drastic, I'll make sure of that, but you have to understand some things first. My dad, he's experienced loss too many times. Yang's mother left him shortly after she was born, and my mother died while on a mission. The fact that my entire life has been one anxiety attack after another for him. He's terrified of losing me. He tries not to be overbearing, he really does." Ruby explained.
"I can understand. It's stressful on him, I can only imagine what he was thinking when you fought that wyvern." Arslan reasoned.
"Oh, I'm probably going to be showered in hugs and then promptly grounded for even agreeing to go along with Ironwoods plan and then actually pulling it off." Ruby explained.
"I believe you won't have to worry about that". A new voice called out.
"Winter!" Ruby shouted.
"Hello again Ruby. My sister was just explaining some of your, adventures, on my way here." Winter greeted.
"Only the good parts, I promise." Weiss assured.
"Be that as it may, we do have business we must attend to. While I have equipment moved in, we must begin with a physical and preliminary tests. The sooner we can learn what happened, the sooner we can restore your sight." Winter began. Weiss and Arslan watched as the older Schnee set about testing Ruby's basic functions.
"So, Winter, any ideas as to what happened?" Arslan asked.
"It could be any number of things, from the use of your aura in the strike, to the physical shock causing damage, though I have my doubts about that. Tell me Ruby, with the exception of when you first woke up, have you tried using your sight?" Winter asked.
"Not really. It was mildly painful just that once, I figured it would have been better to wait for whoever was sent to help." Ruby responded.
"A fair assumption. What kind of pain would you say it was?" Winter asked.
"Kind of like a sharp pressure, nothing debilitating, but enough to not press on." Ruby explained.
"Well, they did say they found no permanent damage, but I won't rule that out until running my own tests. You are free to go for the night, after lunch tomorrow return here and we can run some more tests. Arslan, if you could also come with her, I have a personal theory I would like to test." Winter spoke as she began putting away her equipment.
"Of course, it won't be a problem." Arslan agreed.
"Good, now run along. I do need to set up a few things for tomorrow." Winter dismissed.
"Come on, it's starting to get late. Weiss, you coming with us?" Arslan asked.
"If it's alright, I'd like to stay and talk for just a moment longer." Weiss responded as she looked toward her sister.
"I have some time to talk." Winter responded.
"Take it easy then." Ruby spoke as she was led out of the room.
"So, looks like you'll be able to watch the doubles rounds after all." Arslan commented.
"I hope so, I really want to get back to training. And don't get me wrong, I love having you by my side all the time, but I want my independence back." Ruby responded.
"It's been fun, but yeah, I can see wanting to be independent again." Arslan added.
"Of course, you can, your eyes work." Ruby joked.
"You couldn't help yourself, could you?" Arslan asked with a sigh.
"Absolutely couldn't." Ruby giggled.
"Keep it up and there won't be any reading for you tonight." Arslan threatened.
"You wouldn't dare." Ruby spoke in a low tone.
"Try me."
.
.
.
"What's that behind you?!" Ruby suddenly shouted, pointing at something. Whipping around, Arslan quickly looked around the courtyard.
"HAHAHAHAHA! I can't believe you fell for that! By the gods I didn't think that would work!" Ruby was now kneeling on the ground, clutching her sides as she laughed hysterically. While Arslan had to admit, she got her, payback was already brewing.
"You know, I am still in the process of walking you back to your dorm. I could just leave you here." Arslan threatened.
"You wouldn't, you like me too much." Ruby reasoned, still giggling.
"I don't know, it's looking pretty tempting right now. I think I deserve an apology." Arslan countered.
"Alright, I'm sorry." Ruby grumbled as she stood up.
"It'll do, for now anyways. Come on, before your sister starts getting worried." The rest of the walk was spent in comfortable silence as Ruby clung to Arslan's arm. Ruby had to admit to herself, that for as new as she was to dating, and how recent their relationship was, Ruby enjoyed everything it made her feel. She was most surprised though by how quick she was to trust Arslan, a woman she not too long ago would have called a complete stranger, now was the person she was clutching on to as she waited for her sight to be restored.
"Hey Arslan?" Ruby asked as the entered the building.
"Yes?" Arslan responded as she shut the door.
"Have you ever dated anyone?"
"If you mean before you, then no. Why do you ask?" Arslan asked, now curious.
"Well, I'm completely new to this, I've never even had a crush on anyone before. It just seems like we went from complete strangers to girlfriends so quickly. Is that normal?" Ruby asked, pulling Arslan just a slight bit closer.
"Normal? Not exactly. But when it comes to relationships, nothing is exactly normal. I've known people who met once and within two weeks they're already planning the rest of their life together. Some meet through complete chance and spend the rest of their lives together, others know each other forever and don't start dating until much later, if at all. I am also simplifying this way beyond what would be considered rational, so keep that in mind." Arslan explained as they came up to their floor.
"Alright, I was just wondering. Yang doesn't tell me much, and the only other people I know to ask are Weiss and Jaune. I was worried that I was doing something wrong." Ruby admitted.
"I would let you know if you were doing something wrong, just as I would hope you would do the same." Arslan responded. Ruby said nothing as Arslan led her down the hallway. Stopping in front of team RWBY's door, Ruby suddenly pulled on Arslan's arm.
"Well, I don't know how else I could possibly thank you for what you've done for me, and I really hope this isn't breaking any boundaries for you, but-" Was all the warning before Ruby's lips met Arslan's. Lingering just long enough, Ruby then pulled away, blushing furiously.
"Well, can't say I was expecting that. And who would've guessed that you were able to turn as red as a rose?" Arslan joked with some amusement. Ruby could only sputter incoherently as Arslan wrapped her in a hug.
"Though next time, you need only ask, and you shall receive." Arslan said quietly.
"Ok." Was all Ruby was able to squeak out as she buried her face in Arslan's shoulder.
"Now come on, before someone comes looking for you." Arslan warned as she broke the hug. Opening the door, Arslan was greeted with two of the three remaining members of the team.
"Evening Arslan, Ruby. How did everything go?" Blake asked, looking up from her book.
"All thing considered, pretty well. Winter has a theory she wants to test tomorrow." Ruby explained.
"Winter, as in Winter Schnee?" Yang asked perking up.
"Drop it Yang." Ruby warned.
"You're no fun." Yang grumbled, earning a look from the other two.
"Not explaining it right now. Maybe later, and when she isn't here." Ruby spoke, answering the unspoken question. With Ruby's declaration, everyone began to settle in for the night. Eventually Arslan left to return to her dorm, as team RWBY slowly went to bed. As Ruby drifted off to sleep, she couldn't help but feel something was wrong.
AN/ And done with another chapter. So, with my updates coming further and further apart, someone suggested on Street Gem that I need to take a break. Frankly, they're right. Now what does that mean to all of you? Honestly, nothing. Me taking a break is not a break from writing, this does not stress me out, and is not quite what they suggested. I need a break from work, I'm burned out, running on fumes and now constantly exhausted. Just the other day was the first day in months where I didn't show up to work dead tired, and that's only because I had such a bad headache that I needed to slam back 4 pills of Ibuprofen, then promptly passed out for 11 hours. So, I'm going to be taking a break from work, and hopefully, just hopefully, I can get back into the proper swing of things, for my sake and all of yours. I will not stop writing until either I die, or writing becomes such a chore to fit in with my life and every current story is wrapped up. I just had to let you all know what is going on. I am far from done with writing. But until next time, all of you have a great day.